Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has tragically passed away
Photo credit: Sports Illustrated
News broke late last night that Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela tragically passed away at the age of 63 after being sick with liver cancer for quite some time.
Valenzuela is not only a Dodger legend but an MLB one after being the only pitcher to ever win the Rookie of the Year award and the Cy Young in the same season which he did in 1981 while also going on to win a World Series.
Valenzuela, the only pitcher in baseball history to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season in '81, was easily the greatest ballplayer to ever come out of Mexico. -Nightengale
Hall of Famer and Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela passed away at 63
Valenzuela passed away at the age of 63 after a battle with liver cancer that he kept to himself as he stated he did not want people feeling bad for him. Since retiring, Valenzuela has spent the last 22 years as a Spanish language broadcaster for the Dodgers.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela.
«Fernandomania» swept through baseball in 1981 when the 20-year old rookie sensation began the season 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA. The lefthander capped off his incredible year by winning both the NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards while helping lead Los Angeles to a World Series title.
Valenzuela pitched 17 Major League seasons, was a 6-time All-Star, and has the most wins (173) and strikeouts (2,074) of any Mexican-born pitcher.
He spent the last 22 years as a Spanish language broadcaster for the Dodgers, who retired his No. 34 in 2023.
He was 63.
«Fernandomania» swept through baseball in 1981 when the 20-year old rookie sensation began the season 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA. The lefthander capped off his incredible year by winning both the NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards while helping lead Los Angeles to a World Series title.
Valenzuela pitched 17 Major League seasons, was a 6-time All-Star, and has the most wins (173) and strikeouts (2,074) of any Mexican-born pitcher.
He spent the last 22 years as a Spanish language broadcaster for the Dodgers, who retired his No. 34 in 2023.
He was 63.
Dodgers CEO and president Stan Ksten also made a statement stating that Valenzuela was one of the most influential Dodgers of all-time.
«He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes," said Stan Kasten, Dodgers CEO and president, in a statement. "He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon.''
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